Green On!     

  I.      Abstract

      Planning departments and developers have the capability to make a significant positive transformation in the public health field if green design concepts and tools are implemented.  Incorporating programs and policies that affect the design of built and future development projects will create healthier communities.  More efficient planning tools will promote significant change in both our lives and the environment around us and serves as a method to address the problems that is evident in city planning.

      Focus is drawn to the planning elements of public transportation, streets, parks, public facilities, and public education and is discussed in more detail with how they can be greener and therefore improving an overall healthy lifestyle.  Four significant issues support the case for sustainable planning to alleviate the impacts that the urban sprawl epidemic creates.  These include reviewing healthy community initiatives, the case study of Green Map Systems^® (GMS), Smart Growth measures, and lastly how the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is implemented in the planning and development fields.

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